Deion Sanders was diagnosed with an aggressive form of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in April 2025.
He opted for surgery to remove and reconstruct his bladder instead of undergoing 36 weeks of chemotherapy.
Following the procedure, Sanders has been declared cancer-free and has returned to coaching the Colorado Buffaloes.

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders hopes his openness about battling cancer inspires others to take charge of their health and give themselves a fighting chance.

‘I want everybody to understand you can make it, man,’ Sanders said Tuesday, Sept. 23, during segment on Good Morning America. ‘We all got somethin’ we fightin’. Who out there right now ain’t fighting somethin’? It may not be cancer, but it’s somethin’. But you can overcome it. We can do this.’

The Hall of Famer discussed his bladder cancer diagnosis, the procedure he had to undergo and a renewed mission to share his story.

‘You know how many people’s going through this foolishness?’ Sanders said. ‘But men never talk about stuff like this. We hide it because we want to be big, strong, and massive, and not vulnerable. No, man. This is real. This is what I’m dealing with.’

In April 2025, Sanders was diagnosed with bladder cancer during a routine CAT scan. The diagnosis revealed that he had non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, which is considered an aggressive form of the disease and has a 50% recurrence rate.

Sanders said he was presented with two options: undergoing 36 weeks of chemotherapy or having his bladder removed. After considering both options, he chose to proceed with the surgery nine days later.

‘I ain’t waiting. I ain’t sitting back on the curb waiting to go slowly but surely do whatever’s gonna happen,’ Sanders said.

Doctors reconstructed Sanders’ bladder using a portion of his intestine. The procedure was challenging and left him in significant pain. However, afterwards, he has since been declared cancer-free. Now, Sanders is back on the sidelines, coaching the Buffaloes, who are 2-2 this season.

The 2025-26 NBA season is rapidly approaching.

With five teams — the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Pheonix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans — reporting for training camps this week, it’s time to put a bow on the offseason.

And while signings and trades are practically finished — two key restricted free agents in Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors) and Qunetin Grimes (76ers) remain unsigned — some teams are nonetheless catching bad breaks; the Houston Rockets suddenly have to contend with a potential season-ending torn ACL injury to veteran point guard Fred VanVleet.

Here are the winners and losers of the 2025 NBA offseason:

WINNERS

Houston Rockets

One week ago — or even one day ago — Houston’s case as the unquestioned winners of the offseason was secure. The Rockets landed the biggest star available, Kevin Durant, in a trade with the Phoenix Suns. Houston also signed a key 3-and-D forward in Dorian Finney-Smith and bolstered its depth with the signings of Josh Okohie and Clint Capela.

But the Rockets were dealt a massive blow Monday, Sept. 22, when veteran point guard Fred VanVleet suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, likely ending his season. VanVleet averaged 18.7 points and 4.4 assists in the playoffs and will be missed. It also means the team will need a lot more from second-year guard Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2024 draft, who averaged just 12.6 minutes per game as a rookie.

Denver Nuggets

Trading away Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson should make Denver’s pick-and-roll game far more effective; Johnson can handle and dish the ball, and this should create more opportunities for Jamal Murray.

Adding Bruce Brown, a defensive-minded veteran and leader who spent time on Denver’s title-winning team three seasons ago, on the cheap was also a key move.

Dallas Mavericks

Losing Kyrie Irving late in the regular season to a torn anterior cruciate ligament was a big blow, but no team was luckier in the draft lottery than the Mavericks, who secured the No. 1 overall pick, despite having just 1.8% of getting the pick.

With it, they drafted Cooper Flagg, who has the potential to blossom into a franchise-altering player for years to come.

Atlanta Hawks and GM Onsi Saleh

Saleh deftly moved down in the draft and acquired an unprotected first-round pick from the Pelicans, and he acquired stretch center Kristaps Porziņģis at a discount because Boston needed to trim its luxury tax payments. Saleh also bolstered Atlanta’s shooting with the signing of Luke Kennard and wing defense with the sign-and-trade of Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

All of this could make the Hawks a sneaky dangerous team in the Eastern Conference.

LOSERS

Golden State Warriors

As of Tuesday morning, the Warriors have not received clarity concerning Jonathan Kuminga’s status with the team. A restricted free agent, the two sides have been at odds on what a viable long-term contract may look like, so Golden State’s offseason has been in a holding pattern. They have not made any move of note, and Kuminga, a 22-year-old forward who has flashed some promise, still hasn’t signed his qualifying offer.

The team’s lack of direction has led to Jimmy Butler reportedly reached out to Golden State’s front office to inquire about its plan. This is an aging roster whose window may be rapidly closing. Did they do enough to contend in the West?

Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers

This was another older roster whose chances to win may be dwindling under the current build. But now, with the NBA-backed investigation looking into allegations of salary cap circumvention, the Clippers might be facing massive penalties — even including the possible voiding of Kawhi Leonard’s contract.

Regardless, Leonard is 34 and often injured, James Harden is 36, Brook Lopez is 37 and Bradley Beal might have his best basketball behind him.

Restricted free agents

Adding to the point above with Kuminga and the Warriors, it was a rough offseason for restricted free agents. With very little salary cap space available, teams were reluctant to sign four key restricted free agents — Kuminga, Josh Giddey (Bulls), Quentin Grimes (76ers) and Cam Thomas (Nets) — to offer sheets. This meant that, essentially, the teams holding the rights of these players had all the leverage in negotiations.

Kuminga and Grimes remain unsigned and might have to bet on themselves before trying their chances at unrestricted free agency next offseason.

Boston Celtics

They were always going to have to shed salary to avoid punitive apron penalties, but losing point guard Jrue Holiday and center Kristaps Porziņģis makes this a transition season — especially when considering that Jayson Tatum will be sidelined with a torn Achilles tendon.

Joe Mazzulla could be the perfect coach to get the most out of Anfernee Simons, but Boston might struggle to be legitimate threats in the East.

Indiana Pacers

The Tyrese Haliburton torn Achilles was a gut punch. Losing previously longest-tenured Pacer Myles Turner was another. Losing him to the rival Milwaukee Bucks in free agency could make fans forget all about their magical run.

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With the MLB postseason a week away, several teams are still competing for playoff spots and division titles.
The Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies are the only teams to have clinched their divisions so far.
In the American League, only the Toronto Blue Jays have secured a playoff berth.

Major League Baseball’s postseason is just a week away, and the field is starting to take shape.

But there’s still plenty to determine before the regular season comes to a close on Sunday, Sept. 28. Seeding in both leagues could come down to the final day, and bids for wild-card spots have become increasingly tight. Only two teams – the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies – have clinched their divisions, and the Toronto Blue Jays remain the only team in the American League with an official playoff berth.

Here is every MLB team that has clinched a postseason berth, along with the magic numbers for teams to lock up a spot:

Who has clinched MLB playoff berth?

Heading into games on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Milwaukee Brewers – NL Central division (Magic number to clinch NL No. 1 seed is 3 against Philadelphia Phillies)
Philadelphia Phillies – NL East division (Magic number to clinch NL No. 2 seed is 2 against Los Angeles Dodgers)
Los Angeles Dodgers – At least NL wild card
Chicago Cubs – NL wild card (Magic number to clinch NL No. 4 seed is 4 against San Diego Padres)
San Diego Padres — At least NL wild card
Toronto Blues Jays – At least AL wild card

MLB magic numbers to clinch division

Heading into games on Tuesday, Sept. 23; Magic numbers count down with a win and/or a loss by team in parenthesis.

Los Angeles Dodgers: 3 to win NL West (San Diego Padres)
Seattle Mariners: 3 to win AL West (Houston Astros)
Toronto Blue Jays: 4 to win AL East (New York Yankees)
Detroit Tigers: 6 to win AL Central (Cleveland Guardians)

MLB magic numbers to clinch playoff berth

Heading into games on Tuesday, Sept. 23; Magic numbers count down with a win and/or a loss by team in parenthesis.

New York Yankees: 3 to clinch at least AL wild card (Cleveland Guardians/Houston Astros)
Seattle Mariners: 3 to clinch at least AL wild card (Cleveland Guardians/Houston Astros)
Boston Red Sox: 5 to clinch at least AL wild card (Cleveland Guardians/Houston Astros)
Detroit Tigers: 5 to clinch at least AL wild card (Houston Astros)
Cincinnati Reds: 6 to clinch NL wild card (New York Mets)
Cleveland Guardians: 6 to clinch at least NL wild card (Houston Astros)
Houston Astros: 7 to clinch at least AL wild card (Cleveland Guardians)
New York Mets: 7 to clinch NL wild card (Cincinnati Reds)

MLB playoff picture: Teams still alive

Elimination number counts down with each loss and/or win by team in parenthesis.

American League

Texas Rangers (elimination number: 2 – Cleveland Guardians; 1 – Houston Astros)

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks (elimination number: 6 – New York Mets; 5 – Cincinnati Reds)
St. Louis Cardinals (elimination number: 3 – Cincinnati Reds; 2 – New York Mets)
Miami Marlins (elimination number: 3 – Cincinnati Reds; 2 – New York Mets)
San Francisco Giants (elimination number: 2 – New York Mets/Cincinnati Reds)

When do MLB playoffs start?

The 2025 MLB postseason will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 30 with all four wild-card series getting underway. The best of-three series are scheduled to run through Thursday, Oct. 2. The best-of-five division series starts on Saturday, Oct. 4, two days after the conclusion of the wild-card series.

They are all former All-Stars, integral to their teams’ World Series hopes and come winter, a pair of them will be among the most coveted free agents available.

Yet as Major League Baseball’s regular season winds down and the Sept. 30 start of the playoffs comes into view, a quintet of stars might not be ready for prime time.

Getting through three or four playoff rounds isn’t just about getting hot at the right time or a fortuitous bounce or two going your way. Health is also a huge factor, and a handful of October favorites are already cursing their bad timing.

Here’s a look at five stars on the mend whose status remains unclear – and whose absence would be devastating to a team’s World Series hopes:

Bo Bichette, Blue Jays

He hasn’t played since Sept. 6 and will miss the final week after colliding with Yankees catcher Austin Wells on a play at the plate. Bichette was subsequently diagnosed with a sprain in the posterior cruciate ligament of his left knee, and he has yet to begin baseball activities.

The timing was brutal: Bichette and the Blue Jays were in the midst of a renaissance season after player and team suffered through a lost 2024. And Bichette was on a tear over his final 44 games, slashing .379/.430/.582 with 25 extra-base hits and 41 RBIs.

Toronto rallied up to win six in a row shortly after Bichette went down, but since suffered a four-game losing streak that trimmed their AL East lead to two games over the New York Yankees. The Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker and should hold on to both the division title and the AL top seed.

But sans Bichette, the club goes from a team with admirable depth to players playing out of their own. Andrés Giménez, of course, is better suited to playing second base than shortstop, while Ernie Clement and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are more effective as plug-in pieces rather than everyday necessities.

Like most teams, pitching is likelier to decide the Blue Jays’ fate, especially with recent call-up Trey Yesavage taking on a surprisingly big role of late. Yet Bichette’s ability to move the baseball with authority – he’s striking out at an elite and career-best 14.5% rate this year – would be missed.

Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs

He’s expected to be the biggest-ticket free agent this winter, but for the second consecutive season, Tucker has been vexed by a leg injury.

Last year, it was an extended absence due to a shin malady. This time, it’s a concerning calf injury that’s kept Tucker, 28, off the field since Sept. 2 and prompted him to seek additional opinions and physical therapy in Tampa this past week.

Tucker had 17 homers and an .884 OPS at the All-Star break, but just five homers and a .777 OPS since, as he suffered a hairline fracture in his right hand in June, a diagnosis that wasn’t publicly revealed until Aug. 20.

The Cubs were 38-22 when Tucker suffered the hand injury in June and just 50-46 since. That span coincides with one-time MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong also cooling off, though a diminished Tucker may have had a downward effect on various Cubs hitters.

Tucker is expected back at Wrigley Field Sept. 23, though he’s not expected to play immediately and his status for the remainder of the regular season is unknown. Either way, getting Tucker back to MVP-style production before the Sept. 30 start of the playoffs seems remote.

Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers

This one hurts: Woodruff underwent significant shoulder surgery in October 2023 and only returned to a major league mound July 6. And he’s been terrific, posting a 3.20 ERA as the Brewers went 10-2 in his starts, setting the stage for a nice winter payday.

But Woodruff’s now on the IL with a moderate lat strain, and the longer he’s out, the longer it will take to build back up into pitching shape.

The Brewers’ first-round bye will help, but it’s also hard to imagine Woodruff ready to roll by the Oct. 4 start of the National League Division Series. That will put a greater onus on veteran lefty Jose Quintana and perhaps rookie Jacob Misiorowski, two arms the Brewers would have preferred take on a more complementary playoff role.

Milwaukee has suffered first-round exits in each of its past five playoff appearances. Should top starters Freddy Peralta and Quinn Priester help them survive the NLDS, Woodruff might be ready to roll for the NL Championship Series. But they’d be much likelier to advance if he was available from the jump.

Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

Like Tucker, Smith had a hand bruise that eventually was diagnosed as a hairline fracture. Either way, manager Dave Roberts said the bruise is something Smith will have to manage for the remainder of the season and playoffs.

Smith has played just one game since Sept. 3 and is no sure thing to return in this final week. The catching chores have fallen to veteran backup Ben Rortvedt and prospect Dalton Rushing, a significant offensive drop-off. Smith’s .404 on-base percentage would lead the NL if he had enough plate appearances to qualify, and has a .901 OPS, 152 adjusted.

Fortunately for the Dodgers, veteran Mookie Betts has picked up his offensive pace significantly in September (six homers, .997 OPS), lessening the loss of Smith’s bat. Yet a healthy Smith can slide his right-handed bat between Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy, giving the top of the Dodgers lineup a menacing look.

When he’ll be back and how much damage he can do upon return are both open questions.

Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners

The Mariners flew into Houston and threw themselves a three-day bash at the expense of the Astros, a sweep that virtually locked up the AL West title. There was just one thing harshing the vibe: Woo suffering right pectoral inflammation and exiting after five innings of his Sept. 19 start.

As far as late-season injuries go, it could be worse: There’s no structural damage and it does not involve the arm or shoulder. Woo’s regular season is likely over, and wow, what a resume: A 2.94 ERA, 15 wins, 198 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings and a 5.5 strikeout/walk ratio.

Given he may need time to build back up, the Mariners holding onto the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye remains paramount.

The Detroit Lions defeated the Baltimore Ravens 38-30 in a tightly contested Monday night game.
Detroit’s pass rush was a major factor, sacking Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson seven times.
Both offenses were effective, with Detroit controlling the clock and Baltimore utilizing quick-strike plays.

The Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions put on a dramatic, high-tempo show that concluded with a 38-30 victory by the Lions that was more tightly contested than the final score even indicates. The triumph helps re-certify Detroit and its new-look coaching staff as championship contenders. Meanwhile, the uber-talented Ravens will have to overcome a 1-2 start for the second consecutive season – though they, like the Lions, wound up with a division crown in 2024.

Who else won and lost beyond the scoreboard’s result? Read on …

WINNERS

Offense

Whether it was ball control (generally Detroit) or quick strikes (generally Baltimore), neither club had much trouble moving the ball. The Lions retained possession for nearly 20 minutes in the first half, their two TD drives before intermission eating up more than 16 minutes – which also had the keepaway effect of keeping QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense sidelined. Baltimore, meanwhile, enjoyed a 28-yard run by Derrick Henry for its first touchdown, while another drive took all of four plays and 32 seconds before Jackson found Rashod Bateman on a 3-yard pass into the end zone. That’s not to say the Lions didn’t have explosive sequences (RB David Montgomery’s 72-yard run, the longest in the league this season, in the third quarter) or that the Ravens couldn’t grind, their first possession after halftime spanning 11 plays, 73 yards and more than six minutes before they hit pay dirt. All told, 68 combined points and 744 aggregate yards speak to the track meet this often seemed to be.

Lions pass rush

Don’t assume Detroit’s defense mailed it in. The Lions bagged Jackson seven times − including on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line in the second quarter − matching the most endured by the two-time league MVP in a single game in his eight year-career. And, well as Jackson threw the ball (21-for-27, 288 yards, 3 TDs), most any coordinator would consider holding him to 35 yards on the ground something of a moral victory.

Mark Andrews

He entered Monday with two catches on the season – and since his infamous performance in Baltimore’s playoff loss at Buffalo in January. But Andrews showed up and showed out, catching six balls for 91 yards and two scores − one putting Baltimore ahead at the start of the third quarter on a 14-yard strike from Jackson.

Metallica

The heavy metal legends, who just got their own channel on SiriusXM last month – check it out – were also showcased for the Ravens’ pregame introductions, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” ushering in Jackson and the offensive starters. ‘Enter Sandman’ blared throughout the building in the fourth quarter after Baltimore cut Detroit’s lead to 28-24.

Jake Bates

Following Detroit’s second touchdown, the Lions kicker made a TD-saving tackle on the ensuing kickoff – bringing down Ravens returner Rasheen Ali in the open field after a 43-yard runback.

LOSERS

Jake Bates

He just missed on a 67-yard field-goal try to conclude the first half, one that would have established a new NFL record. Ironically, a former Ravens star Justin Tucker drilled the still-standing benchmark 66-yarder four years ago – a bomb that beat the Lions 19-17.

Derrick Henry

For the second time in three games, Baltimore’s monstrous bell cow uncharacteristically lost a fumble that led to fourth-quarter points for the opponent. It was a fatal blow in the Week 1 come-from-ahead loss to Buffalo and a momentum killer Monday, when the Ravens had a chance to drive for the lead. Never before in Henry’s 10-year career has he lost multiple fourth-quarter fumbles in the same season.

M&T Bank Stadium operations

The Ravens don’t get enough credit for their distinctive pregame and halftime productions. Unfortunately, the scoreboards didn’t work properly Monday for a quarter-plus – no down-and-distance or score information available to 70,000-plus fans, ones who rely on stadium boards anyway, until midway through the game.

Ravens D

It was hamstrung by the absence of injured Pro Bowl LB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) and DL Nnamdi Madubuike (neck). Without two of their best players, Baltimore not only failed to contain Detroit’s run game (224 yards, 4 TDs), but its revamped secondary was further exposed by Lions QB Jared Goff’s precision passing. Two of Detroit’s TD marches covered at least 96 yards, the Ravens simply unable to stop the bleeding.

Buffalo Bills

The undefeated AFC East leaders now enjoy what’s effectively a 2½-game lead over a Baltimore team they might see again this season … but, in all likelihood, back in Western New York.

Baltimore good luck charms

The Ravens dropped to 20-7 in their all-black uniforms, while Jackson is now 24-3 against NFC opponents.

NEW YORK — Boxing in its current state is suffering from a perception problem.

The money is there, the interest is there, but outside of a few fights a year between real contenders, like last week’s title bout between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, the novelty of it all is wearing thin.

Which brings us to Netflix, which has forced its way into the fight game – for better or for worse – and actually did a decent job with the promotion and execution of the Crawford-Alvarez super middleweight tilt, won by Crawford by unanimous decision. The streaming service said that 41 million had their eyes glued to their chosen device for the fight.

There are 17 weight divisions in boxing and four governing bodies of the sport that crown champions, which makes it hard for the novice fight fan to figure out who is really on top of the boxing world.

Championship, big stakes fights are what people want to see.

The fight coming up on Nov. 14 between former YouTuber Jake Paul and Gervonta “Tank” Davis at the Kaseya Center in Miami certainly isn’t one of them.

This bout was initially supposed to take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Georgia and boxing officials there came to their senses and passed on the fight, only for its neighboring southern state and their athletic commission to gleefully pick up the scraps and continue the ridiculous charade of a match between two fighters who have no business in the ring with each other.

Let’s state the obvious.

This exhibition is a downright money play between Paul and Davis, which is good for their bank accounts, especially for the 28-year-old Paul, who pocketed $40 million for his fight with Mike Tyson.

Paul is listed at 6-1 and 200 pounds, while Davis (30-0-1, 29KOs), a three-time world title holder across two weight divisions, fought his last match in March against Lamont Roach Jr. at the lightweight limit of 135 pounds on a 5-foot-5 frame – which, by comparison, might as well be Manute Bol or better yet Shaquille O’Neal against Muggsy Bogues.

During the initial press conference at the Palladium in midtown Manhattan (for some reason, the two will run it back on Tuesday with another yap session in Miami), Paul (12-1, 7 KOs), was supremely confident because he knows he has more advantages in height and reach. When he initially embarked on his fight journey nearly five years ago, Paul started a hit list, which included Davis.

Paul vs. Davis fight details

Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian said the fight will be contested at a maximum weight of 195 pounds, over 10, three-minute rounds with both fighters wearing 12-ounce gloves. Davis has fought primarily with eight-ounce gloves, while Paul fought Tyson with 14-ounce gloves, and his other fights were with 10-ounce gloves.

Win or lose, the result won’t count towards their professional boxing records, and the fight will be judged by three people approved by the athletic commission in Florida.

The two fighters didn’t discuss much strategy about who would emerge victorious.

They instead turned the press conference into a comedy roasting show, complete with adults dressed as clowns after Paul told Davis that a clown is someone who “puts his hands on females,’ and Paul added he might have to spar with eight-year-olds to account for Davis’ size.

‘People always have something to say. It’s old news. Keep talking,’ said Paul. ‘At the end of the day, you’re here. So whatever anyone has to say, just keep on saying it. Please. It doesn’t matter at all.’

Paul then commented that Davis ‘can’t read’ like his former promoter and world champion Floyd Mayweather and said that he is going to outbox a pugilist with more than 20 years of experience.

‘I’m much quicker than him,’ Davis countered. ‘He’s much stronger and much bigger, but we all know that it’s harder for taller fighters to fight a shorter one. He’s decent and he’s gonna hold up for a couple of rounds – but once it gets hot in there, you know how things play out.

‘He said he gonna out-box me? Whoop-de-doo,” Davis said, which drew a laugh from the Palladium crowd.

For hardcore boxing fans, our thoughts exactly, especially for whoever takes this exhibition with an ounce of seriousness.